Lining up seams in quilt-help needed!
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Your seams are likely a little too wide. That makes your blocks short for the length of the sashing strips. I would measure your blocks and adjust the cut-length of the sashing strips to match the unfinished length of the blocks.
Actually, if you have already sewed the sashing strips to the squares, all you have to do is remove one seam (say, on the left side of each square) and re-sew to make the sashing length match the blocks. I would re-sew first and make sure everything is accurate before trimming the extra sashing from the seam.
I am assuming that you have assembled the quilt in rows, with the blocks in one row and the sashing strips in a separate row.
Hope this is clearer than mud!
Actually, if you have already sewed the sashing strips to the squares, all you have to do is remove one seam (say, on the left side of each square) and re-sew to make the sashing length match the blocks. I would re-sew first and make sure everything is accurate before trimming the extra sashing from the seam.
I am assuming that you have assembled the quilt in rows, with the blocks in one row and the sashing strips in a separate row.
Hope this is clearer than mud!
#13
There should be a stitch width setting that allows to do a narrower or wider zig zag. If you change that when your machine is set to a straight stitch, it should move your needle one way or the other.
If you can't or don't want to move your needle position, you can use a stack of post it notes as a guide for the correct seam allowance.
If you can't or don't want to move your needle position, you can use a stack of post it notes as a guide for the correct seam allowance.
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Originally Posted by ammorgan
I just looked at my machine to see about changing where my needle is and the only way I can do it is if I do a different stitch entirely.
What I do is cut moleskin strips (moleskin is in the foot care area of pharmacies), which have an adhesive backing, to the bed of the machine and butt my seams up against it.
#15
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Camarillo, California
Posts: 35,242
Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!
Looks like your're getting lots of great help already!!
Looking forward to your posting the quilt when you have it together! It's going to be beautiful!
Looks like your're getting lots of great help already!!
Looking forward to your posting the quilt when you have it together! It's going to be beautiful!
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 74
My machine is a Brother LS 2125i. I'm looking at the manual online and not seeing a way to fine tune the needle. There is apparently an option to do different stitch lengths with the needle in the middle, or just one stitch length with the needle to the left. Now the lines on the needle plate, are they based on the needle being in the center position or left position?
ETA-Looks like it's based on the center position. Not that they are labeled with numbers or anything!
ETA-Looks like it's based on the center position. Not that they are labeled with numbers or anything!
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Sounds like you have a machine with set length and width for each stitch. At some point you will want to graduate up to a machine that has variable stitch length and variable stitch width, plus independently adjustable needle positions.
In terms of working on the quilt you have posted, now is not the time to be changing your needle position and seam width. Until you finish this quilt, I would keep everything as you have been doing it. Just adjust the sashing strip lengths (shorten them to match your blocks) and you are good to go.
In terms of working on the quilt you have posted, now is not the time to be changing your needle position and seam width. Until you finish this quilt, I would keep everything as you have been doing it. Just adjust the sashing strip lengths (shorten them to match your blocks) and you are good to go.
#18
Power Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 11,375
Originally Posted by ammorgan
My machine is a Brother LS 2125i. I'm looking at the manual online and not seeing a way to fine tune the needle. There is apparently an option to do different stitch lengths with the needle in the middle, or just one stitch length with the needle to the left. Now the lines on the needle plate, are they based on the needle being in the center position or left position?
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,586
Originally Posted by Prism99
In terms of working on the quilt you have posted, now is not the time to be changing your needle position and seam width. Until you finish this quilt, I would keep everything as you have been doing it. Just adjust the sashing strip lengths (shorten them to match your blocks) and you are good to go.
#20
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Originally Posted by virtualbernie
I think either your log cabin blocks are not all the same size :
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ArtquilterNEWWAYtoQUILT
Main
16
12-11-2007 04:00 PM